Waiting for First Eggs

We have a 16 week old Easter Egger and a Salmon Faverolle the same age,a gold sex link and black sex link pullet, both at 15 weeks, and a silver laced Wyandotte and a barred rock that are both 14 weeks. What are some behaviors to look for that would signal they are getting ready to lay?

Allkindsofkinds said:

We have a 16 week old Easter Egger and a Salmon Faverolle the same age,a gold sex link and black sex link pullet, both at 15 weeks, and a silver laced Wyandotte and a barred rock that are both 14 weeks. What are some behaviors to look for that would signal they are getting ready to lay?

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usually no earlier than 22 or 23 weeks that can vary thou

One of my flock started laying at 15 1/2 weeks, but now a month later there are at least five producing. Probably helped to have the increasing daylength on my side to spur those hormones on.

So for the OP: reddening combs, squatting when their backs are touched (or sometimes if you just look at them cross-wise ), practice nest-making and sitting are some things to watch for.

Jensownzoo said:

One of my flock started laying at 15 1/2 weeks, but now a month later there are at least five producing. Probably helped to have the increasing daylength on my side to spur those hormones on.

So for the OP: reddening combs, squatting when their backs are touched (or sometimes if you just look at them cross-wise

), practice nest-making and sitting are some things to watch for.

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What type of birds? I've got a mixed batch of Australorps, Barred Rocks, Red Stars, and Black Stars. Wondering when I might hope to have them start laying. Will definitely be a while though, only 5.5 weeks old right now.

Pendragonz said:

What type of birds? I've got a mixed batch of Australorps, Barred Rocks, Red Stars, and Black Stars. Wondering when I might hope to have them start laying. Will definitely be a while though, only 5.5 weeks old right now.

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Golden Buffs (6), Buff Orpingtons (5), New Hampshire Reds (3), Dominiques (3), Barred Rock (1), and White Rocks (2)

And I got 8 eggs today--they're 23 weeks old

I have a flock made up of a Blue Andalusian, a SLW, a Dominique (all about 19 weeks old), 2 Delaware's, (both about 17 weeks) and a Spangled Orp (about 15 weeks old)

My BL has been doing a submissive squat about a month now but still no eggs and one of me Delaware's has been squatting for a couple weeks but again, no eggs yet. So far these are the only two squatting that I've noticed and I'm dying to get some eggs from them.

Anything I can or should do to help them? I know that's a weird question but I'm a first time chicken mom and really have no idea if I can even help them along.

They're still on chick starter as I've been told not to switch to layer feed until I get an egg from someone. They free range about 6-16 hours a day (depending on if I'm working or not) and have free choice to Oyster shell incase they decide to start laying for me.

I've been checking my nest boxes like a dozen times a day but it's getting a little old....are they just waiting for me to stop checking?

CrazedCowgirl said:

I've been checking my nest boxes like a dozen times a day but it's getting a little old....are they just waiting for me to stop checking? 

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Very likely!

They'll lay when they lay...you aren't doing anything wrong. The red combs and squatting are really just an indication for you to get a move on providing that nesting box! I think it took a few weeks after for them to actually do something for me. And that was after another week of making practice nests in the shavings and at least one false egg song. The day that I found the first egg, it was a total surprise. Walked in to scrape off the roost and there it was...almost had a halo of shining light around it!

They can tell when you're watching them!

Mine are barely 15 weeks, but at least one of them is already singing an egg song about once a week.

The first time she sang, I raced outside to look... no luck. I'll keep our fingers crossed for both of us! Even if they throw off false signals, the hens seem to know what they're doing when the time comes.

FINALLY GOT MY FIRST EGG!!! I think it's from my Dominique, but it could also be from one of my Delaware's too. It's so little. We happened to have a Jumbo egg in the fridge so I added it for a size comparison. Little thing had such a thick shell, it took me 4 tries before it would crack. So happy with my girls right now!!

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!